Labor Day, an End of Summer Break; Good for you and Good for your Family

Summer is drawing to a close; kids are back in school, and the signs of Fall are creeping in. There’s no better time to take a small reprieve from your otherwise hectic schedule than firing up the grill and enjoying some quality family time.

Fun Fact

Did you know that Labor Day brings Americans the perfect break between Independence Day and Thanksgiving?

And, we have the state of Oregon to thank for this timely break. Oregon was the first state to adopt the holiday before all other states decided to join the pack.

The Origins of Labor Day

Leading up to the fight for shorter working hours, the majority of hardworking laborers were working upwards of 70 hours per week with no time to spend outside of the daily grind.

In the late 19th century, with the aim to unify union workers and reduce working hours, Labor Day was intended to bring workers together and communicate common interests. The idea became problematic because of a wide scale aversion to giving workers a day off. Thus, a huge percentage of the population decided to take action through strikes, public marches, and community events. By the turn of the 20th century, the average working week was edging closer to 48 hours/week.

Labor Day is an annual national tribute; celebrating the achievements of American workers, which is also celebrated in Canada.

Planning to Grill this Labor Day?

Grilling beef to perfection!

1. Make sure any protein you have decided to grill is at room temperature
2. Clean, pre-heat and oil your grill
3. Pat meat dry and season liberally
4. If cooking red meat, sear on high heat, avoid moving too early
5. Cook using 60/40 method - Grill for 60% of the time on the first side, then grill 40% of the time after you turn over the steak.
6. Keep grill hood closed as much as possible to maintain a temp of 450 degrees F
7. Allow to rest for at least 5 minutes (covered with foil)

Enjoy!

And, for the perfect flavor that’s good for you and the greater good...

Before you purchase beef for your holiday BBQ, consider making a deliciously conscious choice.

Did you know the Audubon Society, and its local affiliate, Audubon Rockies, has just launched a Conservative Ranching program to bring consumers sustainably raised beef without sacrificing the loss of bird habitat? Audubon Certified Meat is friendly for birds, better for your health and better for your environment.

When selecting products for your family, why not choose meat from “bird-friendly land”. Meat sold with the green, Audubon-certified seal signifies that local ranchers are approved participants in Audubon’s conservation ranching program.

Support the pioneers of this new bird-friendly program by asking your local grocer if they carry products with the green Audubon Certified Seal. Available at the following locations: